ثُمَّ إِنَّ مَرْجِعَهُمْ لَإِلَى ٱلْجَحِيمِ 68
Translations
Then indeed, their return will be to the Hellfire.
Transliteration
Thumma inna marji'ahum la-ilā al-jahīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that ultimately, the return of those who reject Allah's signs and persist in disbelief will be to the Hellfire (al-Jahīm). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this conclusion emphasizes the certainty of divine justice—that regardless of worldly deceptions or temporary enjoyments, the final destination for those who turn away from truth is inevitable punishment. The emphatic particle 'inna' and the oath particle 'la' underscore the absolute certitude of this return.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah As-Saffat's description of the Day of Judgment and the fate of disbelievers. The surah, revealed in Mecca during a period of intense opposition to the Prophet Muhammad, repeatedly contrasts the states of the righteous and the wicked in the Hereafter, serving to warn the Meccan polytheists of their ultimate destination if they persist in rejection.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The Fire complained to its Lord saying: O my Lord! My parts consume each other.' So He allowed it to breathe twice—once in winter and once in summer. (Sahih Bukhari 536). This hadith relates to the reality and characteristics of Hellfire mentioned throughout the Quran.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that worldly distractions and the temporary success of disbelievers do not negate divine accountability; every soul will ultimately face the consequences of its choices. Modern readers should internalize that true success is measured not by worldly gains but by obedience to Allah and preparation for the eternal return.
Related Ayahs
قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ أَتَتْكَ ءَايَـٰتُنَا فَنَسِيتَهَا ۖ وَكَذَٰلِكَ ٱلْيَوْمَ تُنسَىٰ
[Allāh] will say, "Thus did Our signs come to you, and you forgot [i.e., disregarded] them; and thus will you this Day be forgotten."
وَلَوْ تَرَىٰٓ إِذْ وُقِفُوا۟ عَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ ۚ قَالَ أَلَيْسَ هَـٰذَا بِٱلْحَقِّ ۚ قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ وَرَبِّنَا ۚ قَالَ فَذُوقُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْفُرُونَ
If you could but see when they will be made to stand before their Lord. He will say, "Is this not the truth?" They will say, "Yes, by our Lord." He will [then] say, "So taste the punishment for what you used to deny."
ذَٰلِكُمْ فَذُوقُوهُ وَأَنَّ لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
"That [is yours], so taste it." And indeed for the disbelievers is the punishment of the Fire.
وَلَنُذِيقَنَّهُم مِّنَ ٱلْعَذَابِ ٱلْأَدْنَىٰ دُونَ ٱلْعَذَابِ ٱلْأَكْبَرِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ
And We will surely let them taste the nearer punishment short of the greater punishment that perhaps they will return [i.e., repent].